Platinum group metals sales process: Planning and optimization

Abstract

Introduction. The development of methodological issues of optimizing the activities of mining and metallurgical companies and the sale of platinum group metals are highly relevant in the current market conditions due to sanctions restrictions and the severance of international economic ties. Theoretical analysis. The concept of an optimization model is formulated, the main goals for the sales unit of a mining and metallurgical company are determined, a balanced approach to monthly planning is justified, which involves dividing the sales volume into two parts: under long-term contracts and on the spot market, and the stages of constructing an optimization sales model are developed. Empirical analysis. An optimization model is presented for calculating sales volumes of platinum, palladium and rhodium within two months to obtain maximum operating profit. The model is based on regression modeling of prices for platinum group metals, a cost model built on open data from a Russian mining and metallurgical company. Results. Approbation of the methodology made it possible to justify the sales volumes of platinum group metals in two forecast periods depending on the price environment, which provide the opportunity to increase the total profit of the company under given restrictions. 

Keywords

• methodology
• planning
• sales
• platinum group metals
• platinum
• palladium
• rhodium
• optimization modeling